Shock WA native timber decision shows total ignorance of global policy: FWCA
The shock announcement by the WA Labor Government to end native timber harvesting in the state in just two years shows complete lack of understanding of forestry. Forest & Wood Communities Australia said it was unfathomable how any government can ignore IPCC advice that forest management was an important tool to reduce and sequester carbon ... “Climate Action Minister Amber Jade Sanderson even categorised sustainable forest management, which sees a tiny fraction of WA’s native forest is harvested and regenerated under the most stringent restrictions of anywhere in the world, as deforestation!": FWCA MD Justin Law
Media statement: McGowan Government’s historic move to protect native forests
The McGowan Labor Government announces that it has made the historic decision to protect the State's native forests from 2024, and will invest a record $350 million to expand Western Australia's softwood timber plantations to create and support sustainable WA jobs. The decision to end logging of native forests in the upcoming Forest Management Plan 2024-33 will preserve at least an additional 400,000 hectares of karri, jarrah and wandoo forests.
Port builds North Queensland’s hydrogen future
Minister for Resources and Member for Townsville Scott Stewart said the Port of Townsville was a key piece of infrastructure when it comes to developing hydrogen exports. “Sun Metals is one of Townsville’s most innovative businesses and it’s exciting to have their sister company, Ark Energy, plan to export renewable hydrogen to South Korea from Queensland’s publicly-owned port,” Mr Stewart said.
It’s the pub with cheap beer
Claire Rankin. Coraki Hotel publican Ron Macdonald has been forced to sell his tap beer as takeaway because of the lockdown ... Lockdowns both this year and last have forced Mr Macdonald to sell his tap beer at a cut price, because brewers reject opened kegs.
Black day for black jewfish black marketeer
A charter boat skipper has been hit with more than $33,000 in fines and costs after being found guilty in the Mackay Magistrates Court of two charges, including a major black marketing offence.
Big fine for illegal mangrove clearing
A Maryborough man has been fined $25,000 in the Maryborough Magistrates Court after pleading guilty to destroying marine plants and conducting unauthorised works in a declared Fish Habitat Area at Kalah Creek.
Aboriginal Fire Rangers commence new burning program
In a significant step toward joint land management between the Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service (PWS) and Tasmanian Aboriginal people, PWS Aboriginal Fire Rangers employees have completed their first cultural burn at Dempster Plains on the West Coast.
NSW One Nation supports religious groups’ Federal Court challenge of lockdown laws
Mark Latham. NSW One Nation supports people fighting for their rights through the Australian legal system during this time of massive government failure in our State. We have record mental health cases, youth self-harm, businesses collapsing, and people losing their jobs and being isolated socially. The NSW Lockdown has failed in every respect. This is why we support the court challenge by NSW religious bodies to return to religious practice in a Covid safe and responsible way.
Queensland achieves nation-leading recognition of Torres Strait Islander traditional child rearing practice
Queensland has marked the historic milestone of the opening of applications to recognise Torres Strait Islander traditional child rearing practice under new law that translates as “for our children’s children’’. It follows more than 30 years of advocacy by Kupai Omasker Elders to allow Torres Strait Islanders raised by extended family to transfer their legal identity from birth parents to cultural parents.
Seasonal worker agreement extended with Victoria
The Tasmanian Liberal Government has agreed to continue its landmark quarantine arrangement with Victoria which sees Tasmania quarantine seasonal workers from the Pacific Islands, in return for the Victorian Government assuming responsibility for Tasmania’s commitment to assisting Australians returning from overseas.
Shark patrols underway as State Budget provides funding certainty
Surf Life Saving WA's (SLSWA) shark mitigation services begin for another season this weekend - with the McGowan Government providing longer term certainty for the program with funding in the State Budget until 2024-25.
Have your say on livestock biosecurity in the NT
Biosecurity is everyone’s responsibility and Territorians are being encouraged to join the conversation with the community consultation now open on the Northern Territory’s livestock biosecurity laws.
A voice for our cross-border community
Gabrielle Duykers. After relentlessly advocating on behalf of cross-border residents for more than a year, Apsley farmer Paula Gust is still ï¬ghting for the health and social wellbeing of her community. Mrs Gust, who has a farm straddling the SA/VIC border, began the Cross Border Call Out (CBCO) page in August 2020 ... She said she spends between 20 and 30 hours per week advocating for the cross-border community, taking time away from her own business.
Parklands public consultation rejected
Gabrielle Duykers. A motion to conduct public consultation on the development of the North Parklands has been vetoed by Naracoorte Lucindale Council. At a meeting last week, Cr Craig McGuire moved that council undertake public consultation on the future use of the greater North Parklands, which is owned by the State Government. But in the end, even Cr McGuire voted against his own motion.
New Bushfires NT infrastructure to save lives and property
Following some threatening fire seasons, the Territory Government allocated $2 million towards updating firefighting infrastructure to keep lives and properties safe. Recently, two new 350,000 litre water tanks were installed at both Batchelor and Hughes Airstrips, costing $150,000.
Thermal imaging cameras rolled out to more bushfire brigades
Shire of Gingin brigades will join City of Wanneroo brigades in having access to their own thermal imaging cameras this bushfire season ... The cameras help firefighters identify hotspots in bushfires, enabling them to target specific areas and deploy their resources accordingly. They are also an important tool to detect fires burning underground, which are a common threat in Western Australia and can cause bushfires to reignite after they have been extinguished.
Commencement of bush fire danger period for coastal NSW
September 1st 2021 saw the commencement of the Bush Fire Danger Period for Coastal NSW, including 21 Local Government Areas (LGAs). This brings the total number of LGAs currently experiencing heightened bush fire risk to 27 across NSW. Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott said it is important that communities in these coastal areas are aware of their bush fire risk.
What has gone wrong with water management?
Neil J Eagle AO. We now see communities and irrigators questioning why, when dams on the Murrumbidgee and Murray are now pre-releasing or spilling, the allocations remain so low – 30% NSW Murray and 52% Murrumbidgee. The cause dates back to the early 1990s when the anti-irrigation element imbedded in our bureaucracy and, egged on by groups like the ‘Wentworth Group’, began proclaiming our rivers in the Murray-Darling Basin were over-allocated and in dire decline.
Decarbonisation delivers profitable future for farmers
Natural capital is set to be the path forward for the income and security of NSW farmers and for conservation of the environment, as the agricultural industry aims to reach its $30 billion by 2030 target, says the state's minister for energy and environment Matt Kean. As investors around the world and markets move towards decarbonisation as standard practice, NSW is looking to ensure more capital is invested outside its city centres.
Target fixation
As communities and businesses continue to tread water with no active cases, let alone positive PCR tests, do our state leaders have target fixation on COVID-19? Economic downturn, mental health, child welfare and, according to Dr Anne Webster, a rise in disobedience are all the result of lockdowns and restrictions.
September the time to celebrate the Quokka’s Birthday on Rottnest
The birthday of the world's happiest animal, the quokka, will again be celebrated during the month of September at Rottnest Island ... The event program will offer families the perfect chance to see Spring quokka joeys emerging from the pouch.
Next stage of fisheries reforms come into effect
A significant milestone in building a future for the commercial and recreational fishing industries has been reached with the next stage of the Queensland Government’s Sustainable Fisheries reforms coming into effect on September 1.
